Two Great Days

A wonderful quote to chew on from John C. Maxwell: "There are two great days in our lives - the day we are born and the day we discover why."

When people ask “What was the greatest day of your life?”, I typically have had a ready response. Usually my greatest days center on my marriage or the birth of my children. Most people do have ready answers, because we have memorable moments that are burned into our life history. But Maxwell looks at our greatest days from an angle I had not considered.

I know he is first and foremost a writer focused on business and leadership. But he is a pastor as well and often his quotes go far beyond business, as this one does. It struck me that the “days” he speaks of are likely not easily remembered … and that is a very different perspective to ponder.

To me, his quote speaks first to the fact that we are children of God, each of us born with a life path like no other. Without that first great day … the day of our birth … there are no more, so I understand well the significance it has. But while we love to celebrate birthdays, does the party or the card or the gift do that first great day enough justice? There is so much more “hidden” in the celebration … the real meaning that God has given our life, by our birth in His image and with His grace.

And then there is the second great day, when we discover our purpose. Not just our passion or the perfect job or an innovation we have brought to the world. No, for me “the day we discover why” is the day we accept Jesus … He is the link between our greatest days. And the One who will be there on our last one …